Category Archives: GHGs

EPCA Preemption: What are its limits and How May it Harmonize with the Direct Regulation of Emissions from Appliances

This is Blog #4 on this this topic that will look at two issues.  First, where is the line between what is preempted and what is not under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA)? This will look at rules … Continue reading

Posted in Air Pollution, All-electric, APCD, Building Peformance Standard, Energy, Energy Efficiency, EPCA, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas, Litigation, Nitrous Oxides, Ozone, Reach Codes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Legislative Update: End of 2024 Legislative Session

The deadline for the Governor to sign or vetoes bills passed on September 30th. The Governor has called an extraordinary session where nine bills were introduced. So far, ABX2-1 and ABX2-9 appear to be active while the other seven may … Continue reading

Posted in Air Pollution, All-electric, APCD, CEQA, CPUC, Energy, GHG targets, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas, Legislation, Renewable Energy, Transportation, Vehicle Miles Traveled, VMT | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog # 3 on EPCA Litigation: What can the Limited Case Law Tells Us About Interpreting the EPCA?

This blog will continue the discussion on the EPCA specific to two past, unpublished EPCA cases that predate the litigation against the City of Berkeley. The first is a building performance regulation that applied to both existing and new construction … Continue reading

Posted in All-electric, Building Peformance Standard, climate planning, Energy, Energy Efficiency, EPCA, Federal Preemption, GHG targets, GHGs, Litigation, Reach Codes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Blog #1 on Energy Policy Conservation Act (“EPCA”) Preemption Lawsuit filed Against State of Colorado and City of Denver

On April 22, 2024, the Colorado Apartment Association, Apartment Association of Metro Denver, Colorado and Lodging Association, Inc., and NAIOP Colorado Chapter filed a complaint in federal district court against the State of Colorado and City of Denver challenging building … Continue reading

Posted in Air Pollution, All-electric, Energy, Energy Efficiency, EPCA, Federal Preemption, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas, Legislation, Litigation, Reach Codes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

City of Berkeley Files Petition for Rehearing in CRA v. City of Berkeley 9th Circuit Case Regarding Authority to Ban Natural Gas Plumbing in New Construction

As the previous post discussed here, the City of Berkeley was granted until 5/31/23 to file a petition for rehearing en banc to the full 9th Circuit. Yesterday, the City of Berkeley filed its Petition for Rehearing En Banc. This … Continue reading

Posted in All-electric, climate planning, Energy, Energy Efficiency, EPCA, Federal Preemption, GHG targets, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas, Litigation, Reach Codes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Implications of CRA v. Berkeley on All-Electric Building Codes and Reach Codes in California

On April 17, 2023, a three judge panel for the Ninth Circuit issued an Opinion in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley finding that the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) preempts a City of Berkeley’s ordinance that prohibits … Continue reading

Posted in Air Pollution, All-electric, climate planning, Energy, Energy Efficiency, EPCA, Federal Preemption, GHG targets, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas, Reach Codes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Legislative Update: Review of Trends through the 2022 Summer Recess

This blog was drafted by Allie Maggart, a 2024 J.D./M.A. joint degree candidate at the University of San Diego School of Law and Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, with minimal edits. As the legislative calendars move towards the … Continue reading

Posted in Air Pollution, CEQA, climate planning, CPUC, Energy, GHG targets, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas, Legislation, Renewable Energy, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: How difficult is carbon neutrality to achieve?

In my last post on “coming to terms” with climate commitments, I focused on the terms and the meaning of various climate commitments. It is important to understand what they mean but it is equally important to understand the magnitude … Continue reading

Posted in climate planning, GHG targets, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Coming to Terms with Climate Commitments: What Do They Mean?

From local governments to Fortune 500 companies, it seems everyone has a climate commitment these days. President Biden has a goal of achieving a net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050. California Governor Gavin Newsom asked the State’s Air … Continue reading

Posted in climate planning, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas | 1 Comment

Legislative Update: Chaptered and Vetoed Bills

With the October 10th deadline passing for the Governor to act on bills approved by the Legislature, the following represents the conclusion of tracked bills. There is still an option for the Legislature to override a veto and the vetoed … Continue reading

Posted in Air Pollution, CEQA, climate planning, CPUC, Energy, Energy Efficiency, GHGs, Greenhouse Gas, Legislation, Renewable Energy, Transportation, Vehicle Miles Traveled, VMT, Water | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment